Malaysian Trade Union
Congress(MTUC) is deeply concerned about the state of affairs in Malaysia and
its impact on workers.
What has surfaced is,
amongst others, the allegation of corruption against Prime Minister Najib Tun
Razak in connection with the about RM2.6 billion allegedly found in his
personal bank accounts, the allegation of
‘wrongs’ done by 1MDB, related companies and possibly other
government-linked companies (GLCs). There is also the perception that there is also interference in
various available investigation mechanisms in Malaysia, be it the Malaysian
Anti Corruption Commission(MACC), the Attorney General’s Chambers, police,
Public Accounts Committee(PAC) of the Parliament, the Special Task Force and
others. All these, including the dropping Malaysian ringgit which MTUC believes
is also because of the above, may have a negative impact on workers.
Many businesses and investors
consider a ‘clean corrupt free’ government, effective legal mechanisms and
proper enforcement for justice as an attractive reason to come set up their
businesses in Malaysia, or even remain in Malaysia.
MTUC is concerned
that the dropping Malaysian Ringgit may also cause an increase in the cost of
living of workers, and unless wages of workers are increased, this will cause
great difficulties for workers and their families. While dropping oil prices
and other factors may be caused, it cannot be denied that these corruption
allegations and matters related will also be an added factor for the decline of
the Malaysian currency value.
MTUC reiterates that
the Minimum Wages, which workers in Malaysia have been enjoying since 1 January
2013, should have been increased latest by 1 January 2015. We draw your
attention to our statement, that can be found on our website, entitled ‘MTUC disappointed that after 2 years and 4
months, workers Minimum Wage rates still not increased’ which was issued on
19/5/2015. Wages, especially Minimum Wages, need to be increased now to enable
workers to cope with their economic welfare.
Of late, there has
been news that many factories, like JVCKenwood Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Ansell
Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc( known before
as National Semiconductor), have closed down or will be closing down, which will
leave thousands of workers unemployed. About 1,891 employees of CIMB Group in
Malaysia are also out of work, After 31st August, there will also be
about 6,000 employees of Malaysian Airlines Systems Berhad(MAS Bhd) who will be
out of work.
MTUC believes that
there are many more workers in Malaysia who are out of employment, and that many
more will lose their jobs in the near future.
MTUC has called for
many measures like the emergency financial assistance for workers out of work,
and Cost of Living Allowance(COLA) for all workers, all of which would have
been most helpful for workers in Malaysia during these difficult times. We need
legally provided protections and rights to assist workers in such difficult
times.
It is of utmost
importance for our Prime Minister and our government to restore public
confidence, which would naturally include independent transparent investigation
and due process of law. No one is above the law.
A public perception and confidence that
Malaysia has a corrupt-free Prime Minister and government, and that Malaysia
believes in justice is what we need for the welfare and wellbeing of the about
12 million workers and their families.
N. Gopal
Kishnam
Secretary
General
Tel:
+ 6 019 317 4717
Email:
gopalkishnam@gmail.com
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